Description / application in missions

This fighting caterpillar machine together with Wild Bear is considered a “robot killer”. Its armament is able to inflict serious damage on an opponent even at a long range while at a medium and short ranges Devastator has such firepower that it is almost impossible to approach and counterattack it.

The experience of battle operations showed that the most effective tactic of joint application of walking tanks and caterpillar fighting machines is when walking machines are supported with fire by their caterpillar “brothers” at medium and long distances. At the same time, one of the most dangerous opponents of armored machines remains infantry – mobile groups armed with bazookas and skillfully using the relief. Just these considerations determined the choice of weapons for the ordinary caterpillar machine Devastator. The designers took into account merits and demerits of the earlier assault model, Eraser. The missile launcher “Double Hammer” was substituted with the launcher “Storm” for heavy self-guided missiles. The expensive, but practically useless, apart close combat, the power gun was replaced with the double-barreled machine-gun. So the Empire pilots got a very successful machine of fire support. The armor of Devastator was reinforced in the comparison with Eraser. Unfortunately, its maneuverability remained at the same level – this new caterpillar machine remained slow and awkward. Some pilots don’t like Devastator and also other machines of this series for their excessive silhouette. It’s true, where the Protectorate’s Tornado will be covered and only its six-barreled cannon will be moved out, Devastator will show over the cover the upper part of its chest-like cockpit. However its respectable armor and large firepower compensate with interest these flaws. Devastator appeared in the army half a year later than Eraser, but very soon it became one of the most useful fighting machine of the Empire.

The armament of the ordinary caterpillar machine Devastator:

-- Two-barreled machine-gun of 12.7 mm caliber MG-127X2. This standard model of a machine-gun has been used all over the inhabited Space for a long time. This is one of the most reliable models of firearms.
-- Twin missile launcher “Storm” for heavy self-guided missiles R-9. These heavy missiles are reliable and powerful weapon at medium and long ranges, they served the reputation of the main impact force on the battlefield and “robot killer”. The Empire model of these missiles (the analogue of the Protectorate’s Mk11) and the missile launcher “Storm” were developed by the Empire Directorate of Missile Weaponry.
-- Two-barreled armor-piercing cannon of 35 mm caliber ATC-35X2, developed by the Empire Main Artillery Office. In contrast to the Protectorate model, this weapon is a really effective instrument for fighting armored machines. This is one of the most powerful kinds of light weapons mounted on armored machines. Large dimensions and design features of this cannon limited its sphere of application – it is mounted only on the Empire heavy machines.